Valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A valve assembly for use in pump means for flowable or semiflowable material, said valve assembly comprising a hollow valve body having a pair of opposite sides, a top, a bottom and end portions. The valve body is divided into two chambers in side-by-side relationship. Each of said opposite sides of said valve body having two large, circular openings therethrough, each opening communicating with one of said chambers. A disposable liner is provided for each of said chambers and forms in conjunction with the openings in the valve body to its respective chamber, a passage through the valve body which has an interior configuration which conforms to the circular openings in the valve body sides and is rectangular within the valve body. The valve assembly includes a pair of flat, opposed, coplanar blades. Each blade extends through an opening in one of the ends of said valve body and a mating hole in the adjacent liner. Each blade is longitudinally slidable within the rectangular portion of its respective liner. Means are provided to simultaneously shift said blades between a first position wherein one of said blades fully closes its respective passage, the other passage being fully open, and a position wherein the other of said blades fully closes its respective passage, the remaining passage being fully open.

United States Patent Fl6k 11/02 Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek Attorney-Melville, Strasser, Foster and Hoffman ABSTRACT: A valve assembly for use in pump means for flowable or semiflowable material, said valve assembly comprising a hollow valve body having a pair of opposite sides, a top, a bottom and end portions. The valve body is divided into two chambers in side-by-side relationship. Each of said opposite sides of said valve body having two large. circular openings therethrough, each opening communicating with one of said chambers. A disposable liner is provided for each of said chambers and forms in conjunction with the openings in the valve body to its respective chamber, a passage through the valve body which has an interior configuration which conforms to the circular openings in the valve body sides and is rectangular within the valve body. The valve assembly includes a pair of flat, opposed, coplanar blades. Each blade extends through an opening in one of the ends of said valve body and a mating hole in the adjacent liner. Each blade is longitudinally slidable within the rectangular portion of its respective liner. Means are provided to simultaneously shift said blades between a first position wherein one of said blades fully closes its respective passage, the other passage being fully open, and a position wherein the other of said blades fully closes its respective passage. the remaining pass'age being fully open.

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SHEET 3 BF 5 lNVENTOR/S H0257 2. HM KMANM ATTORNEYS VALVE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a valve assembly and more particularly to a valve assembly for use in pump means for pumping flowable and semiflowable material.

2. Description of the Prior Art The valve assembly of the present invention may have many applications. It is particularly useful in association with pumping means for any flowable or semiflowable material. While its use is not intended to be so limited, the valve assembly of the present invention will, for purposes of an exemplary showing, be described in association with a pump for concrete or other materials of like consistency and similar resistance to flow.

In its most usual form, a pump for concrete or the like is of the positive displacement, reciprocating piston type. The piston is reciprocally mounted in a cylinder. The cylinder is connected by an inlet conduit to a hopper or other storage means for concrete to be pumped. The cylinder is also connected to a discharge conduit through which the concrete is pumped. A flexible hose or conduit means is affixed to the discharge conduit, for conveying the pumped concrete to its ultimate destination. In operation, concrete from the inlet conduit is drawn into the cylinder during the backstroke or intake stroke of the piston, and during the forward or discharge stroke of the piston, the concrete in the cylinder is expelled through the discharge conduit. Valve means are required in the inlet conduit and discharge conduit so that the discharge conduit is closed and the inlet conduit is fully open during the backstroke or intake stroke of the piston and so that the inlet conduit is fully closed and the discharge conduit is fully open during the forward stroke or discharge stroke of the piston.

In instances where a concrete pump of greater capacity is required, prior art workers have provided two or more cylinder-piston assemblies, each assembly having an inlet conduit connected to a source of concreteand a discharge conduit. Under these circumstances, the two or more discharge conduits are generally connected to the flexible hose or conduit via a manifold. In such multiple pump assemblies, the valving requirements for the inlet conduits and discharge conduits are the same as in the single pump assembly, with the exception that the valve action for each inlet conduit and each discharge conduit must not only be synchronized with respect to the movement of its respective pump piston, but also with respect to the movement of the one or more additional pump pistons as well.

While prior art pumps for concrete and the like have been successful in their operation, they have been characterized by a number of disadvantages. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that when handling aggregate material such as concrete or the like, which contains large, abrasive, particulate matter, the valve means are subjected to excessive wear. Nevertheless, if the valves do not function positively, that concrete which has already passed through the discharge conduit can be drawn back into the cylinder on the intake stroke of the piston and on the discharge stroke of the piston some of the concrete can be forced back through the inlet conduit. In addition, if the valve means are not properly sealed, air can enter the system, greatly impeding the efiiciency of the pump,

Prior art workers have made use of many types of valves in an attempt to overcome these problems. For example, valve means having bulbous, flexible nose portions on the valve plunger have been used, as exemplified by U.S. Pat, No. 3,l98, l 23. However, such flexible, bulbous nose portions are subject to wear and require displacement of a large quantity of the aggregate material which is normally under considerable pressure.

Prior art workers have also turned to the use of valve means having rotary or blade-type valve elements, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 25,568. However, these valve structures have been complex in nature and subject to wear.

In addition, prior an valve structures have generally been specially designed for particular pump assemblies and the valve bodies have usually been integral parts of the pump assemblies. This has required valve bodies which are complex in design and difficult and expensive to manufacture. By the same token, when replacement or repair has been required, this has necessitated extensive disassembly and has required many hours of work by several men.

The valve assembly of the present invention is characterized by extreme simplicity and compactness. The valve body is provided with a pair of disposable liners which display excellent wear characteristics and which provide excellent seals for the valve blades. When replacement or repair is required, a minimum of apparatus disassembly is necessary and the repair or replacement can be accomplished by a single worker within a very short time.

Finally, the valve assembly of the present invention can not only be used in a single pump assembly, but also two or more valve assemblies of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways in multiple pump assemblies, so that different desired flow patterns may be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The valve assembly of the present invention comprises a hollow valve body made up of two mating halves and having opposite sides and top, bottom and end portions. The valve body is divided into two chambers, each chamber communicating with the outside of the valve body through a large, circular opening in each valve side. Each valve chamber is provided with a liner which is disposable in nature and made up of two identical, mating halves.

When in place, the disposable liners form, in each chamber, a valve passage. The two valve passages are characterized by the fact that they are circular in configuration at their ends, but have a rectangular configuration within the valve body.

Each of the two valve passages is opened or closed by a flat, reciprocating blade. Each blade is slidably received through an opening in the end of the valve body and a mating opening in the adjacent disposable liner. Each blade is reciprocable in the rectangular portion of its respective valve passage between a position wherein the valve passage is open and a position wherein the valve passage is closed or blocked by the blade. The opening in each linear through which its respective blade extends is provided with sealing means so that an airtight and fluidtight seal is formed between the liner and its respective blade.

While the invention need not be so limited, in its usual form, means are provided to move both blades in a longitudinal direction, simultaneously. Thus, the blades may be moved between a first position wherein a first one of the blades closes its respective passage and the second one of the blades has been removed from its respective passage, and a second position wherein the first blade has been removed from its respective passage and the second blade has closed its respective passage.

In the preferred embodiment, the valve assembly is provided with a pair of cylinders mounted on its top and bottom portions respectively. Each cylinder contains a piston having piston rods extending through both ends of the cylinder. The adjacent ends of the equivalent piston rods of each piston are connected by means to which the valve blades are affixed. In this manner, simultaneous movement of both pistons in the same direction will cause simultaneous movement of both valve blades in the same direction.

As will be described hereinafter, two or move valve assemblies of the present invention may be utilized in a multiple pump unit whereby different flow patterns of concrete or the like may be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation of an exemplary pump for concrete or the like utilizing the valve assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the pump assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the pump assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in cross section, of the valve assembly of the present invention as seen from the left in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the section line AA of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the section line 8-8 of FIG. 4. 1

FIG. 7 is an elevational view illustrating the interior of the removable valve body half.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view illustrating the interior of the normally fixed halfof the valve body.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the section line C-C of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line D-D of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view illustrating the interior of one of the disposable liner elements.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the liner of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an end elevation of the liner of FIG. 11, as seen from the right therein.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the exterior surface of the liner of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line EE of FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line F-F ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line GG ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary circuit diagram for a concrete pump utilizing the valve assembly of the present invention.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are diagrammatic representations illustrating exemplary uses of the valve assembly of the present invention in multiple pump units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. I and 2 illustrate the application of the valve assembly of the present invention in a simple, single pump unit for pumping concrete or the like. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the precise nature of the pump unit, the various control means therefor, and the manner in which it is mounted do not constitute a limitation on the present invention. Like parts in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been given like index numerals. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the pump of FIGS. 1 and 2 has been illustrated as mounted on a trailable unit generally indicated at 1. The trailable unit has a frame 2 provided with wheels, one of which is shown at 3. The trailer 1 has an appropriate hitch 4 and may have a number of jack means 5, 6 and 7 to steady the unit when it is in position for use. The various operating and control mechanisms for the pump unit are located in a suitable housing 8 (FIG. 1), which may be provided with hinged or removable access panels, as desired.

The main pump cylinder 9, containing the pumping piston (not shown) is mounted on the trailer frame 2. While the means for actuating the main pump piston does not constitute a limitation on the present invention, it is shown as actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 10. The main pump cylinder 9 is connected to the valve assembly of the present invention (generally indicated at 11) by a branched conduit 12. The valve assembly 11 also has connected thereto a discharge eonduit 13 and an intake conduit 14. It will be understood that the discharge conduit 13 will be connected to a hose or flexible conduit of appropriate type (not shown) through which the pumped concrete will be transported to its ultimate destination.

The inlet conduit 14 is removably connected as at 15 to the outlet 16 ofa hopper 17 containing concrete to be pumped. It will be understood that the hopper 17 will be filled from a mixer truck or similar source. The hopper 17 may be provided with an agitator 18 to aid in maintaining the concrete in appropriate condition to be pumped, as is well known in the art. The hopper 17 may be hingedly affixed to and supported by the body portion 8 of the pump unit, as at 19.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating in greater detail the main pump cylinder, the valve assembly, the branched conduit between the valve assembly and the main pump and the inlet and outlet conduits. In FIG. 3, the main pump cylinder 9 is illustrated fragmentarily, with the main pump piston rod shown at 20 and the main pump piston illustrated in dotted lines at 21. The main pump cylinder 9 is removably affixed to the branched conduit 12 by a flanged fitting 22 which may be of any well-known type.

The valve body of the valve assembly 11 comprises what will hereinafter be referred to as a removable half 23 having a side cover plate 24 and what will hereinafter be referred to as a fixed half 25 and a side cover plate 26. The discharge conduit 13 and the inlet conduit 14 may be removably or nonremovably affixed to the cover plate 24 in any suitable manner. For purposes of an exemplary showing, they are illustrated as being welded thereto. In similar fashion, branches 12a and 12b of the conduit 12 are illustrated as being welded to the cover plate 26.

From the above, it will be evident that the valve assembly 11 of the present invention lies between the inlet conduit and the inlet branch 12a of the conduit 12 and the discharge conduit 13 and the discharge branch 12b of the conduit 12. In order to better understand the valve assembly of the present invention, the operation of the pump assembly as a whole will be briefly described.

The main piston 21 is adapted to reciprocate within the main cylinder 9. In FIG. 3, piston 21 is illustrated in its forwardmost position. When piston 21 moves to the right in FIG. 3, constituting its intake stroke, it will cause concrete from hopper 17 to be drawn through inlet conduit 14, valve assembly 11 and inlet branch 12a of conduit 12 into the cylinder 9. As the piston 21 moves toward its forwardmost position of FIG. 3 (i.e. its discharge stroke) the concrete within cylinder 9 will be forced through discharge branch 12b of conduit 12, valve assembly 11 and discharge conduit 13 to the flexible hose or conduit (not shown) which conducts it to its final destination. It will be evident that during the intake stroke of piston 21, the passage of the valve assembly 11 between inlet conduit 14 and inlet branch 12a must be open to allow concrete from the hopper to be drawn into the cylinder 9. At the same time, that passage of the valve body between the discharge conduit 13 and the discharge branch 1217 must be closed to prevent concrete from being drawn back through the discharge conduit. When piston 21 is performing its discharge stroke, it is necessary that the passage in the value assembly 11 between the discharge conduit 13 and the discharge branch 12b be fully open to permit the concrete in cylinder 9 to be pumped therethrough. At the same time, it is necessary that the passage in valve assembly 11 between the inlet conduit 14 and the inlet branch 12a be closed, lest concrete from the cylinder 9 be forced back into the hopper 17.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the valve assembly as seen from the left in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the upper half ofsideplate 24 and the upper half of valve body half 23 are broken awayto illustrate that the valve body is divided into two chambers 27 and 28. Each chamber is provided with a liner, as will be described hereinafter, which liner defines a passage through the valve body. These passages are generally indicated at 29 and 30. The valve passage 29 is that one which extends between inlet conduit 14 and inlet branch 12a, and will hereinafter be referred to as the inlet passage. Passage 30 is that one which extends between the discharge conduit 13 and the discharge branch 12!) and will hereinafter be referred to as the discharge passage.

The valve assembly is provided with a pair of valve blades 31 and 32. The valve blade 31 is reciprocally mounted in the valve body and is adapted to open and close inlet passage 29. The blade 32 is reciprocally mounted in the valve body and is adapted to open and close discharge passage 30. In FIG. 4, blade 31 is shown in its retracted position with inlet passage 29 being open. Blade 32 is illustrated in its extended position with discharge passage 30 being closed.

The removable body half 23 and sideplate 24 are affixed to the fixed body half 25 by bolts, six of which are shown in FIG. 4 at 33. The threaded perforations in the fixed body half 25 into which bolts 33 are engaged are shown at 34. The sideplate 24 is most clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and comprises a rectangular plate having two circular openings 24a and 24b therein which form part of the inlet and discharge passages 29 and 30, respectively. The discharge conduit 13 is welded to the sideplate 24 about the perforation 24b. Similarly, the inlet conduit 14 is welded to the plate 24 about the perforation 24a.

The removable body half 23 is most clearly shown in FIG. 7 which is an elevational view illustrating the interior surfaces thereof. The removable valve body half 23 is generally rectangular and has about its periphery a plurality of unthreaded perforations 35 adapted to receive bolts 33 by which the valve body half 23 and its adjacent sideplate 24 are affixed to valve body half 25. At its four corners, the valve body half 23 has four rectangular depressions 36 through 39 each of which has a yet deeper depression 36a through 39a. The purpose of the depressions 36 through 39 and 36a through 39a will be described hereinafter. Finally, about its periphery, the valve body half 23 has a plurality of locating pins 40 to aid the assembly of valve body halves 23 and 25.

Valve body half 23 is divided into two portions 27a and 28a by a web 41. The web 1 has an undercut longitudinal groove on either side, as shown at 42 and 43 (see FIGS. 9 and The purpose for grooves 42 and 43 will be described hereinafter.

It will be understood that the portion 28a comprises one half of chamber 27 (FIG. 4). Similarly, portion 27a comprises one half of chamber 27 (FIG. 4). Since portion 27a is simply a mirror image of portion 28a, portion 28a only will be described, like parts of portion 27a being given like index numerals followed by a prime.

The portion 28a is provided with a large circular perforation 44 which is of the same diameter and which will be coaxial with the perforation 24b in sideplate 24. In similar fashion, the circular perforation 44 in portion 27a will be of the same diameter and coaxial with the perforation 24a in side plate 24. On the interior surface of valve body half 23 the perforation 44 is surrounded by an annular groove 45, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. As seen in FIG. 9, the perforation 44 is surrounded by a second annular groove 46. The annular groove 46 is adapted to receive an O-ring so that a seal is formed between valve body half 23 and sideplate 24 about their respective perforations 44 and 24a. Such an O-ring is illustrated at 46 in FIG. 5.

That end of the valve body half 23 adjacent the portion 28a is provided with a large depression, generally indicated at 47. The depression 47 comprises one-half of the opening in that end of the valve body through which blade 32 extends The depression 47 has a first flat surface 47a, a downwardly and inwardly sloping surface 47b, a second flat surface 470, an upwardly extending surface 47d and a third flat surface 47e. These surfaces extend throughout the length of the depression and are uninterrupted except at the center of the depression where an additional, circular, tapered depression 48 is provided, surrounding an upstanding, tapered nozzle 49. The nozzle 49 has a central bore 50 communicating with a threaded bore 5] adapted to receive the fitting of an oil line, as will be described hereinafter. It will be understood that the depression 47 at the other end of valve body half 23 is a mirror image of the depression 47 and is in every other way identical. The depression 47' comprises one-half of the opening in that end of the valve body half 23 adapted to receive blade 31.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view illustrating the interior surfaces of the fixed valve body half 25. The fixed body half is provided about its periphery with a plurality of threaded perforations 34 which are adapted to be coaxial with the unthreaded perforations 35 of valve body half 23 and are intended to receive bolts 33 (FIG. 4). At the four corners of valve body haLf 25, threaded perforations 52 through 55 are provided, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The valve body half 25 is divided into two portions 27b and 28b by a central web 56. The central web 56 corresponds to the web 41 in valve body half 23, and in similar fashion it is provided with undercut longitudinal notches 57 and 58.

When the valve body halves 23 and 25 are assembled, it will be understood that portion 28a of valve body half 23 and portion 28b ofvalve body half 25 will fonn valve chamber 28. The portion 27a of valve body half 23 and portion 27b of valve body half 25 will form valve chamber 27. The portion 27b of valve body half 25 is substantially identical to the portion 280 of valve body half 23 and like parts have been given like index numerals followed by double prime. The portion 28b of valve body half 25 differs from the portion 28a of valve body portion 23 only in that it is a mirror image thereof, and like parts have been given like index numerals followed by triple prime. When the valve body halves 23 and 25 are assembled, it will be understood that perforation 44" will lie opposite perforation 44 and will be coaxial therewith, forming a part of valve inlet passage 29. Similarly, perforation 44" will lie opposite perforation 44 and will be coaxial therewith, forming a part of valve discharge passage 30. End depressions 47' and 47" will cooperate to form the end opening in the valve body to receive valve blade 31. The depressions 47 and 47" will cooperate to form the end opening to receive valve blade 32. Finally, the periphery of valve body half 25 is provided with a plurality of perforations 59 adapted to receive locating pins 40 and of valve body half 23.

The valve body halves 23 and 25 may be made of any suitable material. Excellent results have been achieved with valve body halves made of aluminum.

The valve body itself is completed by sideplate 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Sideplate 26 is rectangular in configuration and similar to sideplate 24. Sideplate 26 will be provided with a pair of perforations 60 and 61 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Perforation 60 is adapted to be of the same diameter and coaxial with perforation 44" of valve body half 25. Thus, perforation 60 forms a part of valve inlet passage 29. Perforation 61 is similarly adapted to be of the same diameter and coaxial with perforation 44" in the valve body half 25, and thus forms a part of valve discharge passage 30. As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the inlet branch 12a of conduit 12 is welded to sideplate 26 about the perforation 60 therein. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the discharge branch 12b of conduit 12 is welded to side plate 26 about the perforation 61.

Side plate 26 is provided with a plurality of perforations about its periphery (not shown) which are adapted to be in alignment with the threaded perforations 34 of valve body half 25. In this manner, the sideplate 26 is affixed to the valve body 25 by a plurality of bolts extending through the perforations in the sideplate and into the threaded perforations 34 of valve body half 25. Six such bolts are shown at 62 in FIG. 3.

Each of the valve chambers 27 and 28 is provided with a disposable liner. The disposable liner may be made of any suitable synthetic elastic compound. For example, liners made of polyurethane have been found excellent. The liners are adapted to be wear-resistant and to provide an air and fluidtight seal between the valve body and the blades 31 and 32. When the disposable liners become worn, they may be easily replaced, as will be described hereinafter.

The liner for each valve chamber is made up of two identical halves. Thus, the valve body will require four identical liner elements. One such liner element is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 17 and is generally indicated by the index numeral 63. The other three identical liner elements, where they appear in the figures, are designated by index numerals 63a, 63b and 63c, for purposes of differentiation. Otherwise, like parts of the liner elements are given like index numerals. For purposes of explanation, the liner element 63 will be described with respect to its relationship to portion 27b of the fixed valve housing half 25. It will be understood that the remaining liner elements 63a 63b and 630 will have an identical relationship with portions 27a and 27b of the removable valve housing half 23 and portion 28b of the fixed housing half 25, respectively.

The exterior surfaces of liner element 63 are configured to conform substantially identically to the interior surfaces of portion 27b of the fixed housing half 25. Thus, the liner element has a perforation 64 which is of the same diameter and intended to be coaxial with the perforation 44" of the housing portion 27b. On the exterior surface of the liner element, the perforation 64 is surrounded by an annular flange 65 which is adapted to be received in the annular groove 45 of housing portion 27b. This is illustrated for example in FIG. 6. At one end of the liner element, there is an extended portion generally indicated at 66 which has an exterior surface made up of individual surfaces 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d and 66e. The extended portion 66 is adapted to lie in the depression 47" of the portion 27b with surfaces 66b through 66e conforming to surfaces 47b" through 47e". FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship of the equivalent surfaces of liner element 630 and portion 27a of the removable valve body half 23.

The exterior surface of the extended portion 66 of the liner element has a tapered extension 67 with an oppositely tapered bore 68. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 6, this tapered extension 67 is adapted to be received in the tapered depression 48" in valve body half with the nozzle 49" extending into the tapered perforation 68. The taper of the nozzle portion 49" and the taper of the perforation 68 are so angled that the fit is of the wedge type.

The interior surface of the extended portion 66 of the liner element is most clearly shown in FIGS. 11 and 16. It will be noted that this interior surface includes two coplanar surfaces 69 and 70 separated by a depression 71 of rectangular cross section. The depression 71 includes an additional channel or depression 72 running the full length thereof. The channel 72 communicates with the perforation 68. In addition, the surface 70 includes a slightly inturned lip 70a, as is most clearly shown in FIG. 16. At both ends of the depression 71, there are a plurality of additional channels 73.

The interior surface just described of the portion 66 of the liner element forms one-half of the opening in the liner through which the blade 31 extends. The interaction of this interior surface and the blade is most clearly shown in FIG. 6. It will be noted that liner surfaces 69 and 70 contact the exterior surface of the blade 31. Inturned lip 70a is distorted to be substantially coplanar with surface 70. The purpose of lip 70a is to form a seal with the blade surface. Since the lip is distorted, as shown in FIG. 6, it will be understood that it will maintain a seal even if irregularities appear in the blade surface through wear and the like. In addition, the lip 70a has a tendency to clean the blade surface as the blade reciprocates.

The depression 71 in the liner element 63 is adapted to receive a pad of material such as felt or the like, capable of being saturated with oil. FIG. 6 illustrates an oil line 74 having a fitting 75 in threaded engagement with the perforation 51" in the valve housing half 25. Oil from the line 74 is periodically injected into the bore 50" in the housing half and, in turn, enters the bore 68 in the liner element 63. From the bore 68, the oil travels through channel 72 and saturates the pad of feltlike material 73 throughout its length. Any excess oil may be accommodated by the channels 73 at either end of the main depression 71.

It will be understood that an identical feltlike oiling pad 74 is located in the depression 71 of the liner half 63a, as shown in FIG. 6. While it has been eliminated from FIG. 6 for purposes ofclarity, it will further be understood that liner element 630 and valve body half 23 will have the same provision for an oil fitting as is shown with respect to valve body half 25 and liner element 63. Thus, oil is periodically injected on both sides of blade 31 as it reciprocates between liner elements 63 and 63a. The identical arrangement is provided with respect to liner elements 63!; and 630 on either side of the other valve blade 32. Thus, the blades are both cleaned and lubricated as they reciprocate in the valve body.

Returning to FIG. 11, wherein the interior surfaces of the liner element 63 are shown, it will be noted that the liner element has four surfaces 75 through 78 which are perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Surfaces 75 and 77 comprise those surfaces of the liner element on which the blade rides as it reciprocates. The surfaces are shown, for example, in FIG. 13. It will also be noted that the surfaces are tangent with the circular opening 64 in the liner element at points 75a and 77a respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, surface 78 is that surface lying between the lip a and the perforation 64 and is tangent to the perforation at point 78a. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 17, surface 76 is that surface diametrically opposed to surface 78 and is tangent to perforation 64 at point 76a.

At all points other than the points of tangency 750 through 78a, the interior surface of the liner element 63 is configured to cause the circular opening 64 to blend smoothly into the planar surfaces through 78. This is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 15 which is a cross-sectional view taken along section line EE of FIG. 11. It can by seen that the circular opening 64 blends smoothly into the planar surface 75 via sloping surface 79. It will be understood that the remaining three corners of the structure are similarly configured. As a consequence, when valve housing chambers 27 and 28 (FIG. 4) are provided with their pairs ofliner elements, valve passages 29 and 30 are formed therein; the valve passages each configured to go from a circular configuration to a rectangular configuration and back to a circular configuration. This arrangement permits the valve body to be attached to the circular discharge and inlet conduits 13 and 14 and the circular inlet and discharge branches 12a and 12b of conduit 12 and provide valve passages therefor which may be opened and closed by the rectangular blade means 31 and 32. The interior configuration of the valve passages, as formed by the pairs of liner elements, are such as to ensure that there will be no buildup or accumulation of concrete within the valve passages as they are opened and closed and the concrete will flow smoothly therethrough.

Returning again to FIG. 11, and also referring to FIGS. 13 and 17, it will be noted that the right-hand portion of the valve element 63 (as seen in FIG. 11) has a rectangular depression therein, generally indicated at 80, the bottom of which has a downwardly and and outwardly sloping surface 81 extending from the top to the bottom of the liner element Centered on the sloping surface 81 there is an upstanding tongue 82.

When a pair of liner elements are in assembly, the depres sion 80 in both of them, and their surfaces 81 and longitudinal extending tongues 82 will form an opening to receive, in looking engagement, an anvil member. The valve body is provided with two such anvil members shown at 83 and 84 in FIG. 4. These anvil members are adapted to cooperate with blades 31 and 32, respectively, as will be described hereinafter.

Anvil 83 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 17. It will be noted that the anvil has a sloping side surface 85 having a longitudinally extending groove 86 therein. The sloping surface 85 is adapted to contact surface 81 of the liner element 63 with the liner element tongue 82 received in the anvil notch 86. The other side of the anvil is similarly configured and is adapted to cooperate with its adjacent liner element in the same fashion. The rearward surface 87 of the anvil is intended to lie against webs 41 and 56 of the valve body halves 23 and 25. It will be remembered that webs 41 and 56 had longitudinally extending, undercut notches 43 and 58, respectively. The rear surface of base 87 of anvil 83 will be received in these notches in a dovetail fit (see FIG. 4). Similarly, anvil 84 will be engaged by its adjacent liner halves and will have a dovetail fit in notches 42 and 57 in webs 41 and 56, respectively (see FIG. 4).

As shown in dotted lines in FIG. 17, blade 31 has a pointed hose, generally indicated at 310 Similarly, anvil 83 has a pointed nose shown at 83a. When the blade 31 is in its forwardmost position (as shown in FIG. 17) the pointed nose of the blade will contact the pointed nose of the anvil whereby any particulate material therebetween will either be forced aside or crushed. Thus, when blade 31 is in position to close passage 29, the interaction of the blade nose 31a and the anvil nose 83a will assure that the passage is fully closed. FIG. 4 illustrates the passage 30 in its fully closed condition, and shows the interaction of the nose portion 32aof blade 32 and the nose portion 840 ofanvil 84.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13, it will be noted that the liner element 63 is provided along its upper edge with a surface 88 having a longitudinally extending groove 89 therein. Along its bottom edge, the liner element is provided with a surface 90 having a longitudinally extending tongue 91 thereon. The surfaces 88 and 90 are adapted to contact equivalent surfaces on the adjacent liner element, when two liner elements are assembled to form a single valve liner. In assembly, the surface 88 of a first liner element will contact the surface 90 of a second liner element, the tongue 91 of the second liner element being engaged in the groove 89 of the first element. In similar fashion, the surface 90 of the first liner element will contact the surface 88 of the second liner element, with the tongue 91 of the first liner element engaged in the groove 89 of the second liner element. This interengagement is illustrated in FIG. wherein liner elements 63b and 630 are shown in assembly. It will be noted that the surface 88 of liner element 63b contacts the surface 90 of liner element 63c, while the tongue 91 of liner element 630 is engaged in the groove 89 of liner element 63b. A similar but opposite engagement will occur at the top of these two liner elements.

While the manner in which blades 31 and 32 are caused to reciprocate within the valve body does not constitute a limitation on the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates a embodiment. Located above the valve assembly, there is illustrated a hydraulic cylinder 92 having a cylindrical body 93, cylinder blocks 94 and 95 at either end with adjacent cylinder heads 96 and 97 held in assembly by a plurality of tie rods 98. The cylinder 92 contains a piston (not shown) having a pair of piston rods 99 and 100 extending through cylinder heads 96 and 97, respectively.

The free end of piston rod 99 extends into a fitting 101 which is affixed thereto by a bolt 102. In similar fashion, piston rod 100 extends into a fitting 103, identical to the fitting 101, and held in place by bolt 104.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the cylinder ports (not shown) will be located in the cylinder blocks 941 and 95. Cylinder block 94 has permanently affixed thereto a lug 105 on its lower surface and a lug 106 on its upper surface. In similar fashion, cylinder block 95 has affixed on its lower surface a lug 107 and on its upper surface a lug 108. Lugs 105 and 107 comprise the means by which the cylinder 92 is affixed to the valve body. A bolt 109 passes through a perforation in lug 105 and into threaded perforation 53 of the fixed valve body half (see FIG. 8). Similarly, a bolt 110 extends through a perforation in lug 107 and is threadedly engaged in perforation 52 of valve body half 25. When valve body halves 23 and 25 are assembled, it will be understood that lugs 105 and 107 will be accommodated by the rectangular depressions 36 and 37, respectively, of the removable body half 23 (see FIG. 7). The heads of bolts 109 and 110 will be accommodated by the additional arcuate depressions 36a and 3711, respectively, in the valve body half 23.

Lugs 106 and 108 on the blocks of cylinder 92 support, by means of bolts 111 and 112, a bar 113 located above cylinder 92. The bar 113, in turn, supports a pair of pilot valves 114 and 115. The pilot valve 114 is provided with a plunger 116 having a cam wheel 117 thereon. When the piston within cylinder 92 has traveled its maximum distance to the left in FIG. 4, the cam wheel 117 and the valve plunger 116 will be actuated by the fitting 101, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, pilot valve 114 is actuated when the discharge port is fully closed by the blade 32. When the blade 32 is retracted, it will be understood that the valve plunger 116 will be free to move downwardly, since the fitting 101 will be moved out from under cam wheel 117.

Pilot valve is provided with a plunger 118 having a cam wheel 119. When the piston within cylinder 92 moves its maximum distance to the right in FIG. 4, the valve plunger 118 will be actuated by interaction of cam wheel 119 and fitting 103. Thus, pilot valve 115 will be actuated when the inlet port 29 is fully closed by blade 31. When blade 31 is retracted, and in the position shown in FIG. 4, fitting 103 will move out from under cam wheel 119 as illustrated. The purpose for pilot valves 114 and 115 will be described hereinafter.

On the bottom of the valve body there is mounted a second cylinder assembly which is in every way identical to that described above. In fact, the cylinder assembly mounted to the bottom of the valve housing is interchangeable with the cylinder assembly mounted to the valve housing top. As a consequence, like parts have been like index numerals followed by a. It will be understood that lugs 105a and 107a will be affixed to the fixed housing half 25 by. bolts threadedly engaged in perforations 55 and 54, respectively, in housing half 25 (see FIG. 8). Again, lug 105a and its bolt, together with lug 107a and its bolt will be accommodated by depressions 38- 38a and 39-39a, respectively, in the removable valve housing half 23 (see FIG. 7). LUgs 106a and 108a on cylinder 920 will not be used and, may be eliminated if desired.

A plate 120 is afiixed, as by welding or the like to fittings 101 and 103a. Blade 32, in turn, is affixed to plate 120 by bolts 121. In similar fashion, a second plate 122 is affixed to fittings 103 and 101a. Blade 31 is affixed to the plate 122 by bolts 123.

From the above description, it will be evident that as the pistons in cylinders 92 and 92a move to right in FIG. 4, blades 31 and 32 will simultaneously move to the right. When the pistons in cylinders 92 and 92amove to the left, blades 31 and 32 will simultaneously move in the same direction, assuming the positions shown in FIG. 4. The provision of the two cylinders 92 and 92a to move the blades 31 and 32, will not only result in positive action of the blades, but also will prevent undue wear of the liners since proper alignment of blades 31 and 32 will be assured.

From the above description of the valve assembly of the present invention, it will be readily apparent that when replacement or repair of blades, anvils or liner elements is required, a minimum of apparatus disassembly will be necessary. To open the valve housing, it is only necessary to disconnect the inlet conduit 14 from outlet conduit 16 of the hopper 17 at 15. If the hopper is hingedly mounted, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. it may be swung upwardly out of the way. In addition, the flexible hose or conduit (not shown) affixed to discharge conduit 13 may be disconnected therefrom.

Since the bolts 33 are threadedly engaged in perforations 34 in fixed housing half 25, their removal will permit removal of sideplate 24 and removable housing half 23. At this point, complete access to the interior of the valve assembly is available. Blades 31 and 32 may be readily removed and repaired or replaced. The same is true of anvils 83 and 84 and liner elements 63, 63a, 63b, and 63c. Cylinders 92 and 93 may be removed for repair, or may remain affixed to the fixed housing half 25 if repair is not needed. The disassembly just described, will generally constitute the only disassembly required. Should complete disassembly be desired, it will be understood that removal of bolts 62 will disengage the fixed housing half 25 from sideplate 26 and conduit 12 may be disengaged from main cylinder 9 via the fitting 22.

As indicated above, the various control means and the like for the concrete pump do not constitute a limitation on the present invention. However, for purposes of an exemplary showing, FIG. 18 illustrates a hydraulic circuit for a concrete pump utilizing the valve assembly of the present invention. FIG. 18 illustrates the valve passages 29 and 30, the valve blades 31 and 32, and the valve assembly cylinders 92 and 92a. The main pump cylinder 9 with its piston 21 is shown as is the main pump actuating cylinder 10. A tank or sump for hydraulic fluid is illustrated at 124. The main pressure line is shown at 125 containing a pump 126 and an accumulator 127. The return line is illustrated at 128.

A branch pressure line 129, containing a shutoff switch 130 is illustrated as leading to a hydraulic motor 131 through a manual valve 132. The hydraulic motor is provided to turn the agitator 18 in the hopper 17. The return line is shown at 133. Manual valve 132 will determine the direction in which agitator 18 is turned, and the agitator may be turned on or off by switch 130.

Three-position valve 134 determines the direction of movement of cylinders 92 and 92a, and hence the direction of movement of blades 31 and 32. Three-position valve 135 determines the direction of movement of hydraulic cylinder and thus determines whether piston 21 in main cylinder 9 is in its intake or discharge stroke. The valves 134 and 135 are pilot actuated valves. These valves are actuated through the interaction of pilot valves 114 and 115 and pilot valves 136 and 137. As indicated above, pilot valve 114 is actuated when valve passage 30 is fully closed by blade 32. In similar fashion, pilot valve 115 is actuated when valve passage 29 is fully closed by blade 31. Pilot valves 136 and 137 detect the movement of the piston 21 in the main cylinder 9. Pilot valve 136 is actuated when piston 21 has reached the extent of its discharge stroke. Pilot valve 137 is actuated when piston 21 has reached the extent of its intake stroke. Pilot valves 136 and 137, in combination with pilot valves 114 and 115 govern the positions of valves 134 and 135. In this way, the action of the valve assembly of the present invention is synchronized with the action of the main pump comprising cylinder 9 and pump piston 21.

Manually operated three-position valves 138 and 139 may be used to reverse the pumping direction, when desired. Three-position, manually actuated valves 140 and 141 may be used should one or more of pilot valves 114, 115, 136 and 137 fail The pair of oiling devices for blade 31 (above described) are shown at 142 and 143. The pair of oilers for blade 32 are shown at 144 and 145. These oilers are controlled by metering valve 146', which, in turn, is actuated whenever pressure is present in line 147. As oiling device for piston 21 of the main pump may be provided as at 148. The oiler 148 is controlled by metering valve 149, which, in turn, is actuated by pressure in line 150.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the use of two valve assemblies of the present invention is a concrete pump having two pumping cylinders and 152. A hopper is shown at 153. The inlet conduit of pump 151 is shown at 154 and is connected to the hopper. The inlet conduit 155 of pump 152 is also shown connected to hopper 153. Discharge conduit 156 of pump 151 and discharge conduit 157 of pump 152 are shown connected by a manifold 158. A first one of the valve assemblies of the present invention is diagrammatically illustrated at 159 and is shown as controlling inlet conduits 154 and 155. A second one of the valve assemblies of the present invention is diagrammatically illustrated at 160 and is shown as controlling discharge conduits 156 and 157.

Pumps 151 and 152 will be so arranged that when one is performing its intake stroke, the other is performing its discharge stroke, and vice versa Therefore, if pump 151 is performing its intake stroke, inlet conduit 154 will be open by virtue of the action of valve assembly 159 and discharge conduit 156 will be closed by virtue of the action of valve assembly 160. By the same token, pump 152 will be performing its discharge stroke and its inlet conduit 155 will be closed by valve assembly 159 and its discharge conduit 157 will be opened by valve a assembly 160. When pump 151 is performing its discharge stroke and pump 152 is performing its intake stroke, the valve assemblies 159 and 160 will shift so that inlet conduit 154 is closed and inlet conduit 155 is open, while discharge conduit 156 will be open and discharge conduit 157 will be closed.

FIG. illustrates yet another exemplary manner in which valve assemblies ofthe present invention may be used in multipump units. Two pumps are shown at 161 and 162. Pump 161 has an inlet conduit 163 connected to a hopper 164. It

also has a discharge conduit 165 connected to a manifold 166. In similar fashion, pump 162 has an intake conduit 167 connected to the hopper 164 and discharge conduit 168 connected to the manifold 166. In this arrangement, a valve assembly 169 controls the inlet and discharge conduits of pump 161 while a valve assembly 170 controls the intake and discharge conduits of pump 162. Again it will be understood that pump 161 will be performing its intake stroke while pump 162 will be performing its discharge stroke, and vice versa. Valve assemblies 169 and 170 will be synchronized with their respective pumps and each will operate in the same manner as described with respect to the structure of FIG. 3.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit ofit.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A valve assembly for use with fiowable and semiflowable material comprising a rectangular, hollow valve body having opposite sides, a top portion, a bottom portion and end portions, means within said valve body dividing said valve body transversely of its long axis into two chambers, each of said opposite sides of said valve body having a circular perforation communicating with each of said chambers, said perforations in said sides communicating with the same one of said chambets being coaxial, a hollow, disposable liner within each of said chambers, each of said disposable liners having an exterior surface conforming to the interior surface of its respective chamber, the interior of each of said liners forming a passage through said valve body between the adjacent pair of said coaxial perforations in said valve body sides, the end portions of each of said passages having a circular cross section of the same diameter as said coaxial perforations in said valve body sides between which it extends, each of said passages having a central portion of rectangular cross section, those portions of said passage between said circular end portions and said rectangular central portion comprising smooth uninterrupted surfaces, said valve assembly having a pair of flat, rectangular blades, each of said blades extending through an opening in one of said end portions of said valve body and an adjacent opening in one of the sides of said central rectangular portion of one of said liners, each of said blades being reciprocable within said central rectangular portion of its respective liner between a position wherein said passage formed by said liner is open and a position wherein said passage is closed.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said liners is made up of two identical liner halves, said liner halves having interengaging top and bottom edge portions centrally of said portion of said passage having a rectangular cross sectron.

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve body comprises first and second body halves, said fist and second body halves having abutting surfaces in a plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said valve body and to the transverse centerline of said valve body.

4. The structure claimed in claim 1 including means ,to reciprocate said blades between their respective passage opening and passage closing positions.

5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said blades are connected to the same blade reciprocating means, whereby said blades move in the same direction simultaneously and one of said blades is in its passage opening position when the other ofsaid blades is in its passage closing position, and vice versa.

6. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said blade reciprocating means comprises a first hydraulic cylinder affixed to said top portion of said valve body and a second hydraulic cylinder affixed to said bottom portion of said valve body, each of said first and second cylinders having a piston with piston rods extending through both ends of its respective cylinder, said piston rods of each ofsaid cylinders extending in opposite directions and being parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said valve body, the free ends of those piston rods of both of said cylinders which extend in the same direction being joined by a plate extending therebetween, each of said blades being mounted on one of said plates.

perpendicular 7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said valve body comprises first and second halves, said first and second body halves having abutting surfaces in a plane 8. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said openings in said liners through which said blades extend are configured to form an air and watertight seal with their respective blades.

9. The structure claimed in claim 8 including means on either side of each of said openings in said liners through which said blades extend to inject oil on said blades.

10 The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein that side of said rectangular portion of each of said liners opposite said side having said blade receiving opening therein is provided with an opening to acommodate an anvil member, there being two anvil members mounted on opposite sides of said means dividing said valve body into said chambers, each anvil member extending the length ofsaid side ofits respective liner through which it extends, each anvil member being positioned to be in abutting relationship with the end of one of said blades when said blades are in their passage closing positions, the abutting surfaces of said blades and said anvils being configured to crush any particulate material lodged therebetween. 

1. A valve assembly for use with flowable and semiflowable material comprising a rectangular, hollow valve body having opposite sides, a top portion, a bottom portion and end portions, means within said valve body dividing said valve body transversely of its long axis into two chambers, each of said opposite sides of said valve body having a circular perforation communicating with each of said chambers, said perforations in said sides communicating with the same one of said chambers being coaxial, a hollow, disposable liner within each of said chambers, each of said disposable liners having an exterior surface conforming to the interior surface of its respective chamber, the interior of each of said liners forming a passage through said valve body between the adjacent pair of said coaxial perforations in said valve body sides, the end portions of each of said passages having a circular cross section of the same diameter as said coaxial perforations in said valve body sides between which it extends, each of said passages having a central portion of rectangular cross section, those portions of said passage between said circular end portions and said rectangular central portion comprising smooth uninterrupted surfaces, said valve assembly having a pair of flat, rectangular blades, each of said blades extending through an opening in one of said end portions of said valve body and an adjacent opening in one of the sides of said central rectangular portion of one of said liners, each of said blades being reciprocable within said central rectangular portion of its respective liner between a position wherein said passage formed by said liner is open and a position wherein said passage is closed.
 2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said liners is made up of two identical liner halves, said liner halves having interengaging top and bottom edge portions centrally of said portion of said passage having a rectangular cross section.
 3. The structure claimeD in claim 1 wherein said valve body comprises first and second body halves, said fist and second body halves having abutting surfaces in a plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said valve body and perpendicular to the transverse centerline of said valve body.
 4. The structure claimed in claim 1 including means to reciprocate said blades between their respective passage opening and passage closing positions.
 5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said blades are connected to the same blade reciprocating means, whereby said blades move in the same direction simultaneously and one of said blades is in its passage opening position when the other of said blades is in its passage closing position, and vice versa.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said blade reciprocating means comprises a first hydraulic cylinder affixed to said top portion of said valve body and a second hydraulic cylinder affixed to said bottom portion of said valve body, each of said first and second cylinders having a piston with piston rods extending through both ends of its respective cylinder, said piston rods of each of said cylinders extending in opposite directions and being parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said valve body, the free ends of those piston rods of both of said cylinders which extend in the same direction being joined by a plate extending therebetween, each of said blades being mounted on one of said plates.
 7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said valve body comprises first and second halves, said first and second body halves having abutting surfaces in a plane
 8. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said openings in said liners through which said blades extend are configured to form an air and watertight seal with their respective blades.
 9. The structure claimed in claim 8 including means on either side of each of said openings in said liners through which said blades extend to inject oil on said blades.
 10. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein that side of said rectangular portion of each of said liners opposite said side having said blade receiving opening therein is provided with an opening to accommodate an anvil member, there being two anvil members mounted on opposite sides of said means dividing said valve body into said chambers, each anvil member extending the length of said side of its respective liner through which it extends, each anvil member being positioned to be in abutting relationship with the end of one of said blades when said blades are in their passage closing positions, the abutting surfaces of said blades and said anvils being configured to crush any particulate material lodged therebetween. 